The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-08-05

the weather; so porsistently did they discuss |
IL, indeed, that the womanly instinct of each
told her that the other was fencing
After all it was Eva who broke the ice
first.
"Hnve you heard from Ernest latelyr' she
said, nervously
ayes; got u note by last mails
"Oh," said Eva, clasping her hands invol-
unfairly, "what did he sayin
"Nothing much, But got letter by the
mail before that, In which he said good
deal. Among other things be said he had
written to you. Did you get the letteri'
Eva colored to her eyes "Yes," she
answered
Dorothy rose, and seated herself again on a
footstool by Eva's feet, ind wondered at the
trouble in her eyes. How could she be
troubled when she had heard from Ernest
"like thatr
"What did you answer him. dearp
Eva covered her face with her hands.
"Do not talk about it," she said; at is too
dreadful to meW
"What can you meant He tells me you are
engaged to him"
"Yes-that ia, no. l was half engaged.
Now am engaged to Mr.. Plowden."
Dorothy gave a gasp of horrifled astonsh-
ment.
Engaged to that man when you were en-
gagged to Ernestl You must be joling.n
"Oh, Dorothy, ! am not joking; wish to
heaven / were. am engaged to him | am
TO marry him in less than month. Oh, pity
me, am wretched."
"Tou mean to tell me-" said Dorothy,
rising, "that you are engaged TO Mr.. Plowden
when you love ErnestF
ayes, oh yes; ! cannot help
At that moment the door opened, and
1aJ bx,M
Her keen eyes saw at once that something
was wrong, and her intelligence told her what
it was. After her bold fashion, she deter
mined TO take the bull by the horns. Unless
something were done, with Dorothy at her
back, Eva might prove obdurate after all.
Advancing, she shook Dorothy cordially by
the hand.
81 see from your face" she said, "that you
have just heard the good news. Mr. Fsowden
Is so shy that be would not consent to an
nounce it before, but here he is to receive
your congratulations"
Mr.. Plowden took the cue and advanced
effusively on Dorothy with outstretched
hand. "Yes, Miss JONES' am sure you will
congratulate me- and / ought to be con
| graduated; am the luckiest"--
! Here he broke off. 1t really was very
| awkward. His hand remained Imply hang
ing in the air before Dorothy, but not the
slightest sign did that dignified little lady
| show of taking it, On the contrary, she
drew herself up to her full height-which
was not very tall-and fixing her steady blue
eyes on the clergyman's shifty orbs deliber-
ately placed her right hand behind her back.
~ do not shake hands with people who play
such tricks she said quietly.
Mr. Plowden's hands fell to his side, and he
stepped back. He did not expect such cour-
age in anything so small Florence, however,
sailed in to the rescue.
"Really, Dorothy, we do not quite under
stand"
"Oh, yes, I think you do, Florence or IL
you do not, then l will explain. Eva here
was engaged to marry Ernest Kershaw. Eva
hero has just with her own lips told me that
she still loves Ernest, but that she is obliged
to marry--that man." and she pointed with
her little forefinger at Plowden, who re-
coiled another step. SIS not that true Eva"
Eva bowed her head by way of answer.
She still sat in the low chair, with her hands
over her face
"Really, Dorothy, fail to see what right
you have to interfere in this NATTER said
Florence
"I have the right of common justice, Flor
ence-the right friend has to protect the
|
wicked plot to wrong an absent mani Is
there no way addressing MIR. Plowden) in
which can appeal to your feelings to induce
you to free this wretched girl you have EN-
trappedr
"I only ask my own," said Mr.. Plowden,
sulkily.
"For shame! for shamel and you minister
of Gods word! And you too, Florence! Oh
now l can read your heart, and see the bad
thoughts looking from your eyes!"
Florence for a moment was abashed, and
turned her face aside.
sand you, Eva, how can you become
party to such shameful ttingf You, a gooc
girl, to sell yourself away from dear Ernes
to such man as that" and again she pointet
contemptuously at Mr.. Plowden.
"Oh, don't, Dorothy, don't; it is my duty
You don't understand"
"Oh, yes, Eva, do understand. I under
stand that it is your duty to drown yoursel
before you do such thing. am womal
as well as you, and, though am not beauti
full, have a heart and conscience, and
understand only too we'll"
"You will be lost il you drown yourself
mean it is very wicked said Mr.. Plowden b
Eva, suddenly assuming his clerical characte
as most likely ID he effective. The suggestion
alarmed him He had bargained for a liv
Eva.
"Yss, Mr.. Plowden," went on Dorothy
"you are right; it would be wicked, but not S
wicked as to marry you. God gave us wome
our lives, but he put a spirit in our heart
which tells us that we should rather thro'
them away than suffer ourselves to be d,
graded. Oh, Eva, tell me that you will nc
do this shameful thing-no do not whisper
her, Florence"
I Annrothu nnrothu cail vici,ne M,
wringing her hands, "it is all useless. Do nc
break my heart with your cruel words,
must marry him. l have fallen into IL
: power of people who do not know what mere
b.n
. "Thank you," said Florence.
Mr.. Plowden scowled darkly.
, "Thep have DONE" and Dorothy wake
toward the door, Before she reached it 81
paused and turned "One word, and | wi
trouble you no more What do you all e:
). pect will come of this wicked marriagea"
There was no answer Then Dorothy wen
But her efforts did not stop there. She mao
:, her way straight to Mr.. Cardus' office.
= "Oh, Reginaldln she exclaimed, 81 ha'
. such dreadful news for you. There, let II
u cry little first and will tell you.n
" And she did, telling him the whole stoi
from beginning to end
u with some astonishment, and with feelii
. Of something like indignation against Ernes
. He had intended that young gentleman
;. fall in love with Dorothy, and behold be HI
~ fallen in love with Eva Alas for tho pt
! versity OF youth.
v "Wel," he said, when she had done, "al
81 what do you wish me TO doi 1t seems th
., you have to do with a heartlcss, schemi
~ woman, a clerical cad, and beautiful fo
III One might deal with the schemer and l
10 fool but no power on earth can soften
10 cad. At least, that is my experience.
III sides, think the whole thing is much bett
p left alone. | should be very sorry to
~ Ernest married to woman so worthless
% Eva must be. She is handsome, it is tri
and that is about all she is, as far as C
W sec. Don't distress yourself, ny dear; he "
III get over it, and after he has had his fling {
vi there, and lived down that duel business
er will come home, and II he is wise, kn
~ where he will look for consolation"
Us Dorothy tossed her head and colored
H. sit is not a question Of consolation
ng said; sit is question of Ernest's happiness
- lifen
hs "Don't alarm yourself, Dorothy; peop
III happiness is not SO easily affected. He '
'se forget all about her in year"
ST. ~ think that men always talk of each ot
ue like that, Reginald said Dorothy, rest
her head upon her hands and looking strai
no at the old gentleman. Each of YOU likes